In effect the policy set in
place a blockade of Britain and her European allies, to be applied to
belligerent and neutral shipping alike. The German government argued
that such a policy was implemented only as an aggressive form of defence.

Reaction to the policy was
rapid; the Allied powers inevitably decried its aggression, as did the U.S.
government, which broke off diplomatic relations on 3 February 1917.
On the same day President
Woodrow Wilson appeared before Congress to
announce his reasons, receiving virtually unanimous support in doing so.

Reaction among other
neutrals was similarly one of dismay;
click here to read the
Spanish government's reaction;
click here to read Brazil's
reaction;
click here to read Chile's response.

German Ambassador Count
Johann von Bernstorff to Robert Lansing, U.S. Secretary of State

Washington D.C., 31 January
1917

Mr. Secretary of State:

Your Excellency was good enough to transmit to the Imperial Government a copy of
the message which the President of the United States of America addressed to the
Senate on the 22nd inst. The Imperial Government has given it the earnest
consideration which the President's statements deserve, inspired, as they are,
by a deep sentiment of responsibility.

It is highly gratifying to the Imperial Government to ascertain that the main
tendencies of this important statement correspond largely to the desires and
principles professed by Germany. These principles especially include self-government and equality of rights for all nations.
Germany would be sincerely glad if, in recognition of this principle,
countries like Ireland and India, which do not enjoy the benefits of
political independence, should now obtain their freedom.

The German people also repudiate all alliances which serve to force the
countries into a competition for might and to involve them in a net of selfish
intrigues. On the other hand, Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts to
prevent future wars.

The freedom of the seas, being a preliminary condition of the free existence of
nations and the peaceful intercourse between them, as well as the open door for
the commerce of all nations, has always formed part of the leading principles of
Germany's political program. All the more the Imperial Government regrets that
the attitude of her enemies, who are so entirely opposed to peace, makes it
impossible for the world at present to bring about the realization of these
lofty ideals.

Germany and her allies were ready to enter now into a discussion of peace, and
had set down as basis the guarantee of existence, honour, and free development of
their peoples. Their aims, as has been expressly stated in the note of December
12, 1916, were not directed toward the destruction or annihilation of their
enemies and were, according to their conviction, perfectly compatible with the
rights of the other nations.

As to Belgium, for which such warm and cordial
sympathy is felt in the United States, the Chancellor had declared only a few
weeks previously that its annexation had never formed part of Germany's
intentions. The peace to be signed with Belgium was to provide for such
conditions in that country, with which Germany desires to maintain friendly
neighbourly relations, that Belgium should not be used again by Germany's enemies
for the purpose of instigating continuous hostile intrigues.

Such precautionary
measures are all the more necessary, as Germany's enemies have repeatedly
stated, not only in speeches delivered by their leading men, but also in the
statutes of the Economical Conference in Paris, that it is their intention not
to treat Germany as an equal, even after peace has been restored, but to
continue their hostile attitude, and especially to wage a systematical economic
war against her.

The attempt of the four allied powers to bring about peace has failed, owing to
the lust of conquest of their enemies, who desired to dictate the conditions of
peace. Under the pretence of following the principle of nationality, our enemies
have disclosed their real aims in this way, viz., to dismember and dishonour
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. To the wish of reconciliation
they oppose the will of destruction. They desire a fight to the bitter end.

A new situation has thus been created which forces Germany to new decisions. Since two years and a half England is using her naval power for a criminal
attempt to force Germany into submission by starvation. In brutal contempt of
international law, the group of powers led by England not only curtail the
legitimate trade of their opponents, but they also, by ruthless pressure, compel
neutral countries either to altogether forego every trade not agreeable to the
Entente Powers, or to limit it according to their arbitrary decrees.

The American Government knows the steps which have been taken to cause England
and her allies to return to the rules of international law and to respect the
freedom of the seas. The English Government, however, insists upon continuing
its war of starvation, which does not at all affect the military power of its
opponents, but compels women and children, the sick and the aged, to suffer for
their country pains and privations which endanger the vitality of the nation.

Thus British tyranny mercilessly increases the sufferings of the world,
indifferent to the laws of humanity, indifferent to the protests of the neutrals
whom they severely harm, indifferent even to the silent longing for peace among
England's own allies.

Each day of the terrible struggle causes new destruction,
new sufferings. Each day shortening the war will, on both sides, preserve the
lives of thousands of brave soldiers and be a benefit to mankind.

The Imperial Government could not justify before its own conscience, before the
German people, and before history the neglect of any means destined to bring
about the end of the war. Like the President of the United States, the Imperial
Government had hoped to reach this goal by negotiations.

Since the attempts to
come to an understanding with the Entente Powers have been answered by the
latter with the announcement of an intensified continuation of the war, the
Imperial Government - in order to serve the welfare of mankind in a higher sense
and not to wrong its own people - is now compelled to continue the fight for
existence, again forced upon it, with the full employment of all the weapons
which are at its disposal.

Sincerely trusting that the people and the Government of the United States will
understand the motives for this decision and its necessity, the Imperial
Government hopes that the United States may view the new situation from the
lofty heights of impartiality, and assist, on their part, to prevent further
misery and unavoidable sacrifice of human life.

Inclosing two memoranda
regarding the details of the contemplated military measures at sea, I
remain, etc.

Memoranda Enclosed with
Count Bernstorff's Note

From February 1, 1917, sea
traffic will be stopped with every available weapon and without further
notice in the following blockade zones around Great Britain, France, Italy
and in the Eastern Mediterranean:

In the North: The zone is confined by a line at a distance of twenty sea miles
along the Dutch coast to Terschelling Lightship, the meridian of longitude from
Terschelling Lightship to Udsire; a line from there across the point 62 degrees
north, 0 degrees longitude, to 62 degrees north, 5 degrees west; further to a
point three sea miles south of the southern point of the Faroe Islands; from
there across a point 62 degrees north, 10 degrees west, to 61 degrees north, 15
degrees west; then 57 degrees north, 20 degrees west, to 47 degrees north, 20
degrees west; further, to 43 degrees north, 15 degrees west; then along the
parallel of latitude 43 degrees north to twenty sea miles from Cape Finisterre,
and at a distance of twenty sea miles along the north coast of Spain to the
French boundary.

In the South - The Mediterranean: For neutral ships,
remains open the sea west of the line Pt. Des Espiquettes to 38 degrees 20
minutes north and 6 degrees east; also north and west of a zone sixty sea miles
wide along the North African coast, beginning at 2 degrees longitude west. For
the connection of this sea zone with Greece there is provided a zone of a width
of twenty sea miles north and east of the following line: 38 degrees north and
6 degrees east to 38 degrees north and 10 degrees west, to 37 degrees north and
11 degrees 30 minutes east, to 34 degrees north and 22 degrees 30 minutes east. From there leads a zone twenty sea miles wide, west of 22 degrees 30 minutes
eastern longitude, into Greek territorial waters.

Neutral ships navigating these blockade zones do so at their own risk. Although
care has been taken that neutral ships which are on their way toward ports of
the blockade zones on February 1, 1917, and have come in the vicinity of the
latter, will be spared during a sufficiently long period, it is strongly advised
to warn them with all available means in order to cause their return.

Neutral ships which on February 1st are in ports of the blockade zones can with
the same safety leave them.

The instructions given to the commanders of German submarines provide for a
sufficiently long period during which the safety of passengers on unarmed enemy
passenger ships is guaranteed.

Americans en route to the blockade zone on enemy freight steamers are not
endangered, as the enemy shipping firms can prevent such ships in time from
entering the zone.

Sailing of regular American passenger steamers may continue undisturbed after
February 1, 1917, if:

(A) The port of destination is Falmouth.

(B) Sailing to or coming from that port course is taken via the Scilly Islands
and a point 50 degrees north, 20 degrees west.

(C) The steamers are marked in the following way, which must not be allowed to
other vessels in American ports: On ship's hull and superstructure three
vertical stripes one metre wide, each to be painted alternately white
and red. Each mast should show a large flag checkered white and red, and the
stern the American national flag. Care should be taken that, during dark,
national flag and painted marks are easily recognizable from a distance, and
that the boats are well lighted throughout.

(D) One steamer a week sails in each direction with arrival at Falmouth on
Sunday and departure from Falmouth on Wednesday.

(E) United States Government guarantees that no contraband (according to German
contraband list) is carried by those steamers.